Tunde Kelani’s Ma’ami: Termogene the Lady Killer and Football

Improvisation is the name of the game on set. This morning, we filmed the flashback-in-a-flashback sequence in which Ma’ami tells Young Kashimawo the story of Termogene, an infamous womanizer who used to live in town: “He was a dangerous woman-chaser here in Abeokuta, who always caused a riot in the streets anytime he went for a stroll.”

Tunde Kelani directs Bode Odeyemi (as Termogene)

After a thorough audition process the previous evening, Kelani casted Bode Odeyemi (Sound Technician) in the role of Termogene. Wardrobe had to scramble to find period-appropriate costumes for the market women who fawn over the woman-chaser since those characters were previously unscripted. Joy Akalu (Wardrobe) resolved the issue when she discovered extra ankara outfits in stock, which she supplemented with local beads from the market.

Kelani directs the market women

When the morning was over, Termogene turned back into Bode and cast and crew waited for several hours (in time for lunch) for the right lighting for the afternoon’s shoot. According to Olaitan Faranpojo (Second Assistant Director), Kelani’s meticulous naturedifferentiates Ma’ami from other Nollywood productions: “You can see that this is a production focused on quality and creativity.”

Food is ready courtesy of Mrs. Abiodun

At 3pm, set-up was completed at Oke-ona Grammar School, Kelani’s alma mater, where we filmed scenes of Young Kashimawo playing football with his classmates.

The crew raced against the clock to capture the last rays of sunlight for the last scene of the day, in which Ma’ami and Young Kashimawo reunite after an altercation. Kelani cautioned, “We only have ten minutes of sunlight left. This has to be the last take!”